Shirley Jones

Won the 1952 Miss Pittsburgh contest (the prize was $500 and a scholarship to drama school) and was first-runner-up in the Miss Pennsylvania pageant.

Winner of the 1952 Miss Pittsburgh Pageant

Miss Pennsylvania 1952 first runner-up; her prize was a two year scholarship to the drama school at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Graduated from South Huntingdon High in 1952

Began her career on Broadway at 18 in the original production of "South Pacific" in 1952.

Admitted during the Oklahoma! (1955) commentary that, at one low point in her career when she wasn't getting as many movies and Jack Cassidy's Broadway career was faltering, she was seriously thinking of going back to school to become a veterinarian.

She and Elizabeth Taylor are the only actresses to win Oscars for playing prostitutes in the same year: Jones for Elmer Gantry (1960) (Best Supporting Actress) and Taylor for BUtterfield 8 (1960) (Best Actress).

She was pregnant with son, Patrick Cassidy, during the filming of The Music Man (1962) in 1961. Special outfits were used to cover her showing stomach on the set.

When asked which of her musicals was her favorite, she has said it was The Music Man (1962). While she says she has special memories of Oklahoma! (1955) because it was her first movie, Carousel (1956) is her favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein score.

Turned down the role of Carol Brady on "The Brady Bunch" (1969).

Best known by the public for her starring role as Shirley Partridge on "The Partridge Family" (1970).

Her ex-"The Partridge Family" (1970), co-star and real-life stepson, David Cassidy, once admitted that he had a crush on her.

Was very disappointed that her show "The Partridge Family" (1970), was canceled after the fourth season. Her stepson and series co-star, David Cassidy, was growing tired of playing the same role, plus, the show had sunk in the ratings.

Remained good friends with David Cassidy before, during and after "The Partridge Family" (1970).

Replaced Jane Wyman in the role of Aunt Polly in The Adventures of Pollyanna (1982) (TV), despite being under contract starring in "Falcon Crest" (1981).

Filed a libel suit in 1985 against the National Enquirer after it wrote that she was "drinking vodka like it was water"; won a retraction and a settlement.

Received a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame on Valentine's Day, 1986.

Featured performer at the 1988 Republican National Convention.

Played by Dey Young in The David Cassidy Story (2000) (TV) and Eve Gordon in Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family Story (1999) (TV).

Filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court from Marty Ingels, but later withdrew the petition. Conflict between Ingels and Jones's sons (his version) and his outrageous behavior (her version) have caused them to separate several times in recent years, the longest being for 10 months in 2000. [1 March 2002]

Jones and Ingels spent more than $100,000 to outbid two developers for a half-acre commercial lot in downtown Fawnskin, CA. They plan to turn it into a public park. [December 2001]

Strongly considered for Roberta Hertzel in About Schmidt (2002), but lost to Kathy Bates. Shirley was very disappointed by the decision.

Has nine grandchildren: Caitlin Cassidy (b. 1981), John Cassidy (b. 1985), Juliet (b. 1998), Caleb (b. 2005), Roan (b. 2006), Lila (b. 2008) and Mairin (2011) via her son Shaun Cassidy, and Cole (b. 1995) and Jack (b. 1998) via her son Patrick Cassidy.